1. Context Clues Sentence Diagrams RWA 1.3 Initial Instruction AMERCIAS

2. Vocabulary and Concept Development In order to help readers understand new or complex ideas, writers often use context clues within the text to clarify words. – They define words. – They give examples of words. – They restate words in another way. – They contrast words with their opposites. We do the same when we are trying to insure our readers understand our ideas and our teachers are clear about our understanding.

3. Let’s Practice We’re going to choose some vocabulary words from the history textbook. We’ll read to understand their meanings. We’ll look for ways the textbook writer used context clues. We’ll write original sentences which include context clues to show our understanding of the term.

4. Context Clues Sentence Diagram Name: Date: AB: Definition Example Restatement/SynonymContrast codices Word pg. 461 Step 1: Write your vocabulary word in the center box.

5. Among the important responsibilities of the priests was preserving the religion, history, and poetry of the people. To record their religion and history, the Aztec made books that historians refer to as codices (KOHduh SEEZ). Aztec codices were painted on deerskin, cloth, or paper made from the bark of fig trees. The Aztec produced so many books that they used the equivalent of nearly 500,000 sheets of paper per year. Each Aztec book, or codex, was a single strip, up to 40 feet (12 m) long, that was folded in a zig-zag pattern to make a book. Pages were read from top to bottom and consisted of brightly painted images and pictograms showing events and people in Aztec history. Most of these Aztec books were lost after the Spanish conquered the Aztec and broke up their empire. Those that survive provide historians with much information about Aztec life. Step 2: READ Let’s read page 461 from Chapter 9.2 The Americas to see what context clues the textbook writer gave us to understand what codices are.

6. Among the important responsibilities of the priests was preserving the religion, history, and poetry of the people. To record their religion and history, the Aztec made books that historians refer to as codices (KOHduh SEEZ). Aztec codices were painted on deerskin, cloth, or paper made from the bark of fig trees. The Aztec produced so many books that they used the equivalent of nearly 500,000 sheets of paper per year. Each Aztec book, or codex, was a single strip, up to 40 feet (12 m) long, that was folded in a zig-zag pattern to make a book. Pages were read from top to bottom and consisted of brightly painted images and pictograms showing events and people in Aztec history. Most of these Aztec books were lost after the Spanish conquered the Aztec and broke up their empire. Those that survive provide historians with much information about Aztec life. Textbook authors don’t always give all four context clues. What words from this text helped us understand? Let’s take some notes from this into our definition box.

7. Context Clues Sentence Diagram Name: Date: AB: Definition Notes: Aztec priests used them To record history, religion, poetry Painted on deerskin, cloth. Paper Original Sentence: Codices are Aztec books written by priests on deerskin, cloth, or paper. Example To record their religion and history, the Aztec made books that historians refer to as codices. Each Aztec book, or codex, was a single strip, up to 40 feet long, that was folded in a zig-zag pattern to make a book. Restatement/Synonym in appositive While American books are written on multiple pages, Aztec codices are written on a single strip of paper which can be up to 40 feet long. Contrast codices Word pg. 461

8. Context Clues Sentence Diagram Name: Date: AB: Definition Example Restatement/SynonymContrast quipu Word pg. 464

9. Let’s read page 464 to learn what a quipu is. Building large structures required the Inca to develop a method for doing mathematical calculations. The Inca used a quipu (KEE poo), a rope with knotted cords of different lengths and colors. Each knot represented a number or item. Quipu was also used to keep records. Like the Aztec, the Inca relied on oral tradition to pass on most of their wisdom and knowledge. The Inca were also skilled engineers. Workers fit stones so tightly together that a knife could not slip between them. Because the Inca used no mortar, the stone blocks could slide up and down without collapsing during earthquakes.

10. What words helped us learn what a quipu is? Building large structures required the Inca to develop a method for doing mathematical calculations. The Inca used a quipu (KEE poo), a rope with knotted cords of different lengths and colors. Each knot represented a number or item. Quipu was also used to keep records. Like the Aztec, the Inca relied on oral tradition to pass on most of their wisdom and knowledge.

11. Context Clues Sentence Diagram Name: Date: AB: Definition Rope of knotted cords of different lengths and colors Used for keeping records A quipu is a system of knotted ropes that the Inca used for keeping records and doing mathematical calculation. Example One way the Inca keep track of mathematical calculation was by using a quipu which was a system of knotted ropes of different lengths and colors. The Inca used a quipu, knotted ropes, to keep track of Numbers. Restatement/Synonym The Inca had no writing system for writing, so they had to use a quipu to keep records while the Aztec kept their records in a written form. Contrast quipu

12. Context Clues Sentence Diagram Name: Date: AB: Definition Example Restatement/SynonymContrast conquistador Wordpg. 471-472

13. Let’s read pages 471-472 to find out what a conquistador is. Columbus Returns Columbus set out again in 1493. This time, he came to conquer, bringing soldiers to help him. In the spring of 1494, the Spanish landed on Hispaniola. The Taino who lived on Hispaniola got their first look at the conquistadors (kahn KEES tuh DAWRZ), the soldier-explorers sent to the Americas by Spain. What they saw frightened them. Armor-clad men rode on armor-clad horses. Snarling dogs ran by their sides. In a show of power, the soldiers fired guns that spit out flames and lead balls.

14. What words help us understand what a conquistador is? Columbus Returns Columbus set out again in 1493. This time, he came to conquer, bringing soldiers to help him. In the spring of 1494, the Spanish landed on Hispaniola. The Taino who lived on Hispaniola got their first look at the conquistadors (kahn KEES tuh DAWRZ), the soldier-explorers sent to the Americas by Spain. What they saw frightened them. Armor-clad men rode on armor-clad horses. Snarling dogs ran by their sides. In a show of power, the soldiers fired guns that spit out flames and lead balls.

15. Context Clues Sentence Diagram Name: Date: AB: Definition Soldiers with Columbus Soldier-explorers sent to America by Spain Armor-clad men and horses w/ dogs and guns A conquistador is a Spanish soldier- explorer. Example Spain sent conquistadors to Hispaniola to frighten the Taino and force them into slavery for Spain. The soldiers, or conquistadors, used their armor, guns, and dogs to over-power the Taino of Hispaniola. Restatement/Synonym In contrast to the conquistador who had armor and weapons, the Taino were no match. Contrast conquistador

16. Context Clues Sentence Diagram Name: Date: AB: Definition Step 3: Record your notes in the definition box. Step 4: Write a sentence that defines the term using context clues. Example Step 5: Write a sentences that has an example of the term. Step 6: Write a sentence that restates the Term using a synonym. If you use an Appositive, don’t forget the commas. Restatement/Synonym Step 7: Write a sentence that contrasts your word to something it is not. Contrast You Try! Step 1: Write your vocab word in the center box. Step 2: Read the selection which has the vocab word.